New Delhi: As the Michael biopic releases worldwide, Wizcraft International Entertainment is marking the moment with a 15-minute tribute capsule revisiting Michael Jackson’s landmark 1996-visit to India. An event that reshaped the country’s live entertainment industry. Co-founder Andre Timmins, who played a key role in bringing the music legend to Mumbai, recalls the risks, scale and lasting impact of the historic concert in the exclusive conversation with News9 Digital. “Michael Jackson’s visit on November 1, 1996, really put Wizcraft on the map in India,” he said.
Q. How difficult was it to get Michael Jackson to India?
Andre Timmins (AT): It started like a joke. At that time, Western pop culture wasn’t widely accepted in India. People felt it wasn’t appropriate. We had brought in smaller acts like Apache Indian and Bryan Adams, but nothing of this scale. Then friends in the UK told us Michael Jackson wanted to come to India during his HIStory tour. We didn’t believe it at first. But they said his dream was to visit India. He wanted to create some Indian videos. He was spiritual, wanted to meet Mother Teresa, visit the Taj Mahal and loves Indian food. I was zapped.
I told them that we were not a big company at that time and it would be a big issue if Michael cancelled his India visit. Six months before the visit, we received a fax confirming his interest and calling us to Los Angeles. I was shocked. Viraf (Sarkari) thought it was a prank and Sabbas (Joseph) wanted to double check if it was indeed true.
So, Viraf and I went to America with two other people from London. Imagine no money in pockets, no confirmation from anybody in the country, and we were going to bring Michael Jackson. Imagine meeting the ‘King of Pop’ and the biggest entertainer on the planet, till this date, without any money or confirmation. We were also so young, in our thirties then. We thought once we got Michael’s nod, we could convince the people here in India.
What were the biggest challenges in making the event happen? AT: Everything – right from logistics to government support. We told his team that if he was coming to Mumbai, we would need backing from leaders like Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. Without that, managing security and traffic would be impossible.
We also told his team that Michael would have to do some meet-and-greet with some dignitaries. They said that he didn’t do all this, but for India, he would make some exceptions as he wanted to shoot a video here. He wanted about 2,500 lezim, dhol dancers and all that. We assured them that all of it would be organised and we went through the formalities.
About 450 people from Michael’s production team travelled to India, along with two Antonovs (Russian cargo aircraft) carrying equipment. The Antonovs were made to circle twice over the Mumbai airport as ATC (air traffic control) had never seen such a large aircraft and was unsure if they could land here. They thought the runway might get damaged if they land here. Ultimately, Raj Thackeray had to intervene and spoke to the airport authorities to allow both the planes to land. The entire airport staff went to see the Antonovs like it was a museum.
Customs clearance was another nightmare. When the 20 containers, of 40-feet each, carrying equipment reached the venue, we had to break walls to get them in. It was a nightmare to coordinate between foreigners, Indians and the government. While the production, which was put up in two-and-half days, was going on, we were dealing with other elements. Everyone wanted to be involved because it was Michael Jackson. Even the immigration and customs was done on the plane. When we brought them out, the customs guys were standing on top of people. It was crazy I can’t tell you.
After that, when Michael Jackson came, he said, “When I come to India, I want to see Viraf and Andre”. Because he had met only us, nobody else in India.
Bharat Shah put the entire production and sponsors together, while Viraf managed the airport. We had around around 3,000 lejhim dancers. Sonali Bendre came to garland Michael and welcome him.
Q. What was the first thing Michael Jackson said when he landed in India?
AT: At first, it was just a formal greeting. But when Michael came out and saw the crowds, he was speechless. The reception was overwhelming. Controlling the crowds and securing him was extremely challenging. Then he was welcomed with a garland and a teeka. Once he got into the car, he saw the whole lejhim dance.
When left the airport with the entourage of almost 30-40 cars, which included Raj, Bharat Bhai, police and everything. Then something unexpected happened on the way out of the airport. Michael suddenly stopped the convoy on the left-hand side of Sahar Airport and walked straight into the slum. The people went mad. He interacted with them for almost half-an-hour. He gave them toys and chocolates. They sang for him. Security was in panic mode and told him to follow the security advisory. But he said, “No, I want to meet people. This is why I have come to India. I want to help all these people.” After that, we went straight to Balasaheb’s house.
Q. What was the meeting between them like?
AT: The next day’s headline was, “Michael Jackson uses Balasaheb’s toilet”. Both of them wore dark glasses. The whole thing was quite surreal. Balasaheb spoke in Marathi, Michael in English and I was bridging the gaps. Raj, Bappi Lahiri and many others were also present in that room. They exchanged gifts. Balasaheb presented a sword and Michael gave him one of his hats, and. They took photographs together and spoke about entertainment and how India could build large-scale attractions like in the West. Balasaheb told Michael, “We have so much in common. Both of us are artists. I’m very fond of your music. I’m happy that you kept your word and came here.”
Balasaheb told Michael that he must visit him again at his house for a healthy South Indian meal. In fact, Michael before leaving India went and met him at his house and had idli-sambhar. Michael loved the typical Indian food you get abroad, like butter chicken and dal.
Q. What followed after his meeting with Balasaheb?
AT: From there we went to Oberoi’s where he was staying. There was a huge welcome at the Oberoi’s. Michael met a lot of young children. He shot a calendar and a video in India. Asha Bhosle came and met him. Prabhudeva was in the hotel for 48 hours before he met him. We had to restrict a lot of people, because of his rehearsals. But he was quite forthcoming and made time for a press conference and a meet-and-greet with everybody. He gave us a lot of time.
There was a lot of stress about the passes. The three of us had become stalwarts, because every chief minister in the country was calling us for passes. Michael Jackson was very happy with his stay in India. When he left, he wrote a nice message on the pillow, towel and bed sheet about how much he loves our country. His words for India were so touching. He was fundamentally just blown over with India.
His performance was a night to remember till date. India has never seen a production like that night. So many people fainted. All the stars were there. The show got over at 10:30 pm. By 2:30 am, all the containers were packed to go to the airport and at 6:30 am both the Antonovs took off to Korea.
Q. Michael Jackson’s tour opened up the whole live concert market in India, didn’t it?
AT: Absolutely. Not only did the live concert entertainment open up, it also proved that India could host global-scale events. The Commonwealth Games followed. After that, artists like Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams came to India. It opened the doors for international entertainment here.
Q. What do you think about this whole wave around the release of his biopic, Michael?
AT: The movie Michael has done USD 200-million in advance sales globally. They spent about USD 170-million on the movie. In the first week, it’s already the highest growing biopic in the world. The first one was Freddie Mercury’s Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), which made about USD 51-million. This is about USD 200-million in the first week itself. Our tribute to him does not end just with a 15-minute capsule, we will see the biopic, enjoy and celebrate his life with it.
Q. Any personal anecdote with Michael Jackson?
AT: The first time when I went to meet Michael in LA, it was surreal. I suddenly enter this airport hangar where they had put up a mock-up of a set where he was performing and rehearsing. We went to the backstage where we were taken to multiple rooms before finally meeting him. When Michael Jackson entered the room, I felt that this could never happen to me ever again. Viraf and I were wondering if the whole thing was real. The aura, his intelligence and the way he greeted and spoke to us – it was unforgettable. We presented him a Nataraj idol and some Indian clothes. He clicked photographs with us. He told us, “I have a big Ganpati in my house. I love India. I want to do yoga. I am very spiritual.”
Then we asked him to record a message for India. He recorded, ‘Main India aa raha hoon’ in both Hindi and English. He was genuinely excited to come to India. For me, at 31-32, meeting the biggest entertainer on the planet, was a priceless moment. What more can you ask? I move around with a lot of celebrities in the world, but to get an opportunity to meet Michael Jackson is extremely precious.